Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

Zhao Shu is shocked to learn that the Yansheng Duke could be a fake. Reflecting on the Zhao family's history of betrayal and chaos, he realizes the Kong family's long-standing reputation is also questionable. The court's reverence for Confucius has elevated the Kong family, but their actual connection to the sage is tenuous. Zhao Shu decides to abolish the Kong family, with Wang Ning An supporting the idea to promote other schools of thought and reform. However, they face challenges in gathering concrete evidence against the Kong family, particularly regarding the Zhang family's alleged usurpation of the Yansheng Duke title. Sima Guang presents a historical document revealing that Kong Ren Yu's claims against Kong Mo were supported by Chancellor Feng Dao, who later helped Kong Ren Yu rise to power. Feng Dao's motives are questioned, and Sima Guang seeks to uncover more about his descendants. Five days later, information emerges about Feng Dao's notes, indicating that he had a treasure, Wang Xi Zhi's Lanting Xu, which was used to bribe him during the Kong Mo Rebellion. This revelation leads to the conclusion that Kong Ren Yu was not a true descendant of Confucius but a fraud named Zhang Lei. Zhao Shu, armed with evidence, announces the annulment of the Yansheng Duke title and orders the Ministry of Rites to handle matters of worshiping Confucius.

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